Exploring Long Noncoding RNA CASC11 as a Biomarker for Bladder Cancer Detection

OBJECTIVES: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exhibit dysregulated expression in various cancers, influencing cancer progression. Many lncRNAs are encapsulated in exosomes, impacting cancer development. However, the specific role of exosomal lncRNAs in bladder cancer remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the expression of lncRNA CASC11 in bladder cancer. METHODS: RNA-seq and bioinformatics analyses were performed to identify the differentially expressed lncRNAs in human bladder cancer tissues. The expression of lncRNA CASC11 in bladder cancer tissues was detected. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of lncRNA CASC11 in the urine exosomes of patients with bladder cancer before and after treatment. Western blotting assay was performed to identify protein markers of exosomes. RESULTS: LncRNA CASC11 was prominently upregulated in bladder cancer tissues (p < 0.05). Expression of exosomal lncRNA CASC11 in patients with bladder cancer was significantly increased compared with the healthy control group (p < 0.05). Both exosomes and exosomal lncRNA CASC11 levels in bladder cancer increased gradually with the deepening of tumor stage (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The expression level of lncRNA CASC11 in bladder cancer tissues was upregulated, while exosomal lncRNA CASC11 was elevated in patients with bladder cancer. These findings suggest that exosomal lncRNA CASC11 may serve as a potential noninvasive biomarker for bladder cancer detection and postoperative monitoring.